A novel approach of preparing nanostructured Dy2Ce2O7 was developed utilizing the simple salt-assistant combustion way. For the first time, NaCl as dispersant as well as the mixtures of succinic acid and various amino acids as fuel and capping agent have been employed to produce nanostructured Dy2Ce2O7. In this study, dysprosium nitrate and cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate were chosen as precursors. The grain size and morphology of Dy2Ce2O7 may be controlled by alteration the kind of amino acid. The formation of as-synthesized nanocrystalline Dy2Ce2O7 and its elemental composition, shape, structure and optical characteristics are analyzed utilizing UV–vis, FESEM, FT-IR, XRD, TEM and EDS. In addition, the photocatalytic performance of as-produced nanocrystalline Dy2Ce2O7 was examined by degradation of eosin Y dye as water contaminant under ultraviolet light illumination.
